{"id":710,"date":"2023-01-13T07:06:17","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T07:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=710"},"modified":"2023-01-17T07:07:30","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T07:07:30","slug":"depression-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/depression-medications\/depression-causes-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Depression? Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>While feeling depressed is common, ongoing depression that interferes with your life is not normal and can and should be treated.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Depression has many causes and risk factors, and treatment programs are built to help people cope in a wide variety of circumstances.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Finding the lowest price on depression medication can help you manage costs without interruptions in the medication treatment you need.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p>In 2019 alone, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/data\/nhis\/earlyrelease\/EarlyRelease202009-508.pdf\">nearly 5 percent of the population<\/a> reported at least one instance of depression in the previous year. Yet despite being common, depression is often seen as personal or untreatable, when there are effective ways to manage it in the short and long term. Learn what depression is, its causes, how it\u2019s diagnosed, and how to treat and prevent it.<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h2>What Is Depression?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression is a mental state associated with negative feelings and avoiding activities a person once enjoyed. A depressive mood is common after a personal setback of some form, or even for no reason at all, and is usually temporary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it\u2019s consistent and ongoing, however, depression is seen as a disorder. There are two primary depressive disorders. In major depressive disorder (MDD), sometimes called \u201cclinical depression,\u201d symptoms of depression last for two weeks or longer. Informally, if depression interferes with all aspects of life, it may be classified as MDD.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also called dysthymia, can last for much longer periods \u2014 weeks or even years. For the purposes of this article, we\u2019ll use the term \u201cdepression\u201d to include both disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Depression Symptoms<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-716\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2.jpeg-45.jpg\" alt=\"Woman consoling a man\" width=\"512\" height=\"342\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there is some truth to pop culture depictions of depression, depression has many faces. One person may fit the classical depiction of depression, sleeping constantly and not leaving the house, while others may maintain a normal routine while struggling with negative feelings internally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible symptoms of depression include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced interest in sex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gastrointestinal problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia and hypersomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appetite changes, either dramatic increase or decrease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight changes, particularly extreme ones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in attitude, including agitation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forgetfulness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty concentrating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social withdrawal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased substance use or substance abuse disorder<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden changes in attitude, including hostility or anger<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have multiple symptoms on this list, particularly emotional ones, seek out a doctor immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Depression Causes<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The causes of depression are generally broken out into three core factors.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Trauma.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Past traumatic experiences can lay the groundwork for depressive episodes. People who experience abandonment or neglect as children, for example, are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23196199\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at elevated risk of depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but any psychologically traumatic experience can increase the risk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Genetics.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Depressive disorders have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/mind-and-mood\/what-causes-depression\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an associated biology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that ties into genetic factors. While a history of depression in a family doesn\u2019t guarantee you\u2019ll experience it, it can elevate your risk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Other medical conditions.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Depression is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4406996\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a common symptom for many major health conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly ongoing, or chronic, illnesses. Cancer patients, for example, often have deep concerns over what their future holds or have difficulty with treatment and its side effects, and often experience depression. Mental healthcare has increasingly become a standard component of cancer treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Depression Risk Factors<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-715\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/3.jpeg-42.jpg\" alt=\"Woman looking out the window\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to the above, there are external factors that can raise the risk of depression. They can include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Substance abuse.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Depression and substance abuse often occur together. Some people use drugs because they can alleviate symptoms or push them aside long enough to get things done, for example. Long-term substance users may develop depression as they struggle to manage their addiction.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medications.<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/depression\/guide\/medicines-cause-depressionression-common-medication-side-effect-2018071614259\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some common medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may cause depression or deepen depressive episodes due to their effect on brain chemistry or because of their side effects. Ask your doctor about depression as a possible side effect and what to look out for.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medical history.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Major surgery, sudden hospitalization, or life-saving measures can be frightening and traumatic, even when they go well. Postoperative complications are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4736276\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a particular risk factor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sudden interpersonal changes. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loss of a loved one, a breakup, losing a job, and other dramatic life changes can push what might normally be a low mood into a depressive state.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Depression Diagnosis<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression is usually diagnosed using a process called differential diagnosis, the ruling out of anything else that might be causing the problem. Your doctor will ask you about the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your current circumstances<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Past mental health state<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current symptoms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Substance use history<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ll also run an assessment of your mood and thinking, looking for hopelessness or pessimism, a lack of positive thoughts or plans, and any indication of self-harm or thoughts of suicide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Depression Complications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While depression can show physical signs, complications are most often emotional or social. Depression interferes with work, family obligations, and personal fulfillment. If left untreated, this often gets steadily worse. When depression is associated with physical health conditions, it can interfere with treatment of those conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Depression Treatment<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-714\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/4.jpeg-19.jpg\" alt=\"Man with his hands over his face\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression treatment most often involves a mix of lifestyle changes, mental health care, and medication, usually as a package.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lifestyle changes.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A large body of research has proven that exercise can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7415205\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help manage depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Diet and regular sleep may also help, although research is ongoing on these.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mental health care. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk therapy, individual or group, teaches coping strategies and provides support.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medication.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> There are a wide range of classes of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/ailment_details\/?ailment=Depression\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antidepressants<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that help manage symptoms and make it easier for sufferers to continue with other treatments. The most common classes are:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tricyclics<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/depression-medications\/reference-guide-to-depression-medications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reference Guide to Depression Medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a detailed look at the medicines used to treat depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Depression Management<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular talk therapy teaches coping strategies for handling setbacks and making them feel easier to manage. Depending on family history and past symptoms, long-term maintenance can help limit the impact of depressive episodes. Maintenance plans usually include a low dose of antidepressants and regular therapy sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get the Lowest Price for Depression Medications<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing depression shouldn\u2019t cost you at the pharmacy. BidRx helps you find the lowest price for depression medications with a system that has pharmacies across the country putting in bids for your business. Create a bid, choose your offer, and have all your medication shipped directly to your door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression is an ongoing challenge, but getting the right medication for the lowest price isn\u2019t. To get started, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our medication page<\/span><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights While feeling depressed is common, ongoing depression that interferes with your life is not&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-depression-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":717,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/710\/revisions\/717"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}